Did you know that state and federal laws are added, revised, or overturned yearly? Being knowledgeable about changes taking place in the legal system can be extremely helpful in knowing whether or not your actions are criminal or not. Since January there have been hundred of new laws added, including new controls on concealed weapons, unprecedented state protections for those in the U.S. illegally, an increase in the minimum wage,and legal sales of recreational marijuana.

If you a resident of California, here are 5 law revisions/additions you should be aware of in 2018:

1. No concealed weapons on campus.
   In light of recent school shootings, California has toughened up on gun regulations. Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law removing the rights of school administrators to decide whether employees with concealed weapon permits can bring guns on campus. Although state law already prohibited civilians who are not school workers from bringing firearms onto campuses, a change in the law last year gave school district superintendents power to decide if employees could bring concealed weapons onto campuses. If you currently an employee in any California school district, you are NOT allowed to bring a conceal weapon on campus.
2. No juvenile offenders have to serve life without parole and those already behind bars would become eligible for release after 25 years.
   Gov. Jerry Brown signed nine bills to aid young people facing charges and serving time. These new laws will include parole opportunities and ease punishment for people who committed crimes as children or teens. They will allow courts to seal certain juvenile records and limit the administrative fees that counties charge families with children in juvenile detention. If you would like an inquiry on these changes, contact RP Defense Law at (818) 646-3443.
3. No more jaywalking tickets can be issued for stepping into a crosswalk after the flashing signal begins.
   Prior to 2018, if you began to cross the street after the countdown began, you were at risk of a hefty fine—according to section 21456(b) of the California Vehicle Code. Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill to amend the code. AB 390: making it legal for a pedestrian to enter a crosswalk during a countdown signal if there is sufficient time to reasonably complete the crossing safely. This law has been in effect since January 1, 2018.
4. Employers banned from asking criminal history on applications.
   This new law bans employers, state agencies, and public utilities with five or more workers from including, on any application, any questions about an applicant’s conviction history. Employers are not to consider a person’s criminal background until the applicant has received an offer. And if an employer then decides to take back the offer, the employer is required to notify the applicant in writing, with specific information, as to why the offer is being rescinded. Applicant is allowed to challenge, and the employer is required to review that challenge.
5. Advancement of work site immigration protections and enforcements.
   Are you undocumented and fear of getting arrested on the job? Bill no. 450 now protects workers from immigration enforcement while on the job. An employer or someone acting on behalf of an employer is not allowed to let an immigration agent enter non-public areas of a work place unless the agent has a warrant. Public and private employers can face fines up to $10,000 for each violation.